Station indicator



Jan. 18,1927. 1,615,153

7 E. ALESSIO STATION INDICATOR Filed Feb. 17, 1926 INVENTOR fUGENE A 4 555/0 ATTORN EYS Patented Jan. 18, 1927.

EUGENE ALEfFiSTG, OF NEW YORK, lil.

STATION INDICATOR.

Application filed February This invention relates to station indicators which are particularly designed for use on subways, street railways, or for other similar uses to give visual indication to passengers of the station being approached.

The invention particularly comprehends station indicator for trains of cars by means of which an operator from a central controlling point may readily manipulate simultaneously the individual indicators in each car of the train.

The invention as a further object aims to provide a station indicator which is comparatively simple in construction and mode of operation. inexpensive to produce and install, and which is thoroughly reliable and highly etiicient in its purpose.

With the above recited and other objects in view, reference is had to the following specification and accompanying drawings in which there is exhibited one example or emb(' di'ment of the invention which is in no way intended as a limitation upon the scope of the appended claims as it is to he clearly understood that variations and modifications which properly fall within the scope of said claims may be resorted to when found expedient.

in the drawings Figure 1 is a fragmentary cross sectional view through one car of a train illustrating the same equipped with station indicator constructed in accordance with the invention;

Fig. 2 is a sectional plan view of the in dicator and diagrammatically illustrating the controlling means therefor;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary detail view illustrating the motor controlling means in active operating position;

Fig. 4L is a similar view on a reduced scale illustrating the motor controlling means in a position to out off the motor and effect the braking thereof.

Referring to the drawings by characters of reference, A designates a car having the usual clearstory roof construction providing the usual reduced upwardly projecting portion B. A. casing or housing 10 extends transversely across the portion 13, the opposite ends of which casing are open and register with openings G in the side walls D of the portion B. The casing 10 is provided with a window opening 11 medially of one of its vertical walls to expose a portion of a tape or strip 12 which is movable 1?, 1926. Serial No. cases.

through the casing and openings C. The opposite ends of the tape 12 are secured to and wound upon drums or reels 13 and 1% carried by vertical shafts 15 and 16 disposed exteriorly of the. side walls D. The shafts are mounted in lower bearings 17 on the main roof of the car A and in upper bearings 18 within a housing 19 outside of the roof structure. Each shaft has secured thereto a bevel pinion 20 adjacent its lower bearing which meshes with a bevel gear 21. The bevel are respectively secured to the motor shafts 22 and 23 of the motors 2 and 25 and the shaf s 15 and 16 are driven in unison from the active motor by means of a sprocket and chain connection 26 and 2? between said shafts. The motor 24 has the opposite end 28 or? its shaft 22 reduced and extending through a bearing opening 29 in a magnetically attractable element 80, which element is held against rotation by a key 31 engaging in a slot 32, allowing for axial sliding movement of said element on the reduced end 28 of the motor shaft. The free extremity of the reduced end 28 of the motor shaft is formed with a transverse head 33 which is turnable with the shaft in the cut-out portion 34 of the element when properly alined therewith. A spring 35 having its opposite ends respectively attached to the motor 2% and element 30 normally tends to dispose said element in a position to properly aline the cutaway portion M with the hose 33. The spring 35 also functions to maintain in engagement, pairs of contact elements 36 and 37, and 38 and 39, carried, respectively, by and insulated from the element 30 and the motor 24. The element 30 is further provided with a recess 10 communicating with the cutaway portion at and adapted upon out-ward slid ing movement of the element 30 to engage the transverse heat 33 and brake the motor shaft against turning movement instantane ously. [in electromagnet ll is positioned in spaced relation to the outer end of the element 30 and is adapted when energized to attract said element 30 against the action of the spring 35 so as to simultaneously disengage the contacts 86 and 37 from the contacts 38 and and engage the recess 10 with the transverse head 33. It is, of course, understood that the motors, reels. their shafts and connecting gears, the element 30 and its component parts, and electromagnet are housed by the housings 19.

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From a suitable source of supply the positive current is fed through a feed wire to the pivot 51 of the arm 52 of a doublethrow double-arm reversing knife switch, through a branch wire 54; to a spring contact element located within the casing 10 to bear against the lower edge of one face of the tape or strip 12. The opposed spring contact element 56 is arranged within the casing opposite the contact to bear against the opposite faces of the lower ot the tape or strip, and said contact element 536 is connected by a conductor wire 57 to similar spring contact element 58 within the casing 10. Another spring contact arm 59 is arranged within the casing opposite the spring contact 58 and said contact arm :79 is connected by a circuit wire 60 to one pole of the electromagnet 41. The pairs o'l spring contact arms 55 and 56, and 5S and 59 are arranged adjacent the opposite ends oi the window opening 11. The opposite pole ot the electromagnet -11 is connected by a circuit wire 61 to the contact 62 ot a switch 63, the pivot 64. of the switch arm (35 of which is connected by a circuit wire (36 to the negative pole of the source of sngply. The switch 63 also includes a contact 67 which is connected by a circuit wire 68 with the pivot 69 of the arm 70 of the reversing switch. At one end of its insulated base 7L the re versing switch is provided with contacts 72 and 73 and at its opposite end with contacts 74 and 75. The contact 72 is connected by a circuit wire 76 with one pole'ot the mo tor 2%, the opposite pole of which is connected by a circuit wire 77 with the contact 39. The contact 38 is connected by a circuit wire 78 with one pole of the motor 23 and is secured in parallel with the contact 39. t opposite pole of which motor 25 is connectml by a circuit wire 79 with the contact T l. The contact 73 of the reversing switch is connected by a circuit wire 80 with the contact 36 and the contact 37 is connected by a circuit wire 81. with the circuit wire 80.

The tape or strip 12 has printed or otherwise inscribed thereon longitudiinilly spaced indicia 82 representing the various stations on a given route. and said strip adjacent its lower end is provided with bridge elements 83 for bridging the spring contact arms id bridge elements 83 being located in spaced relation corresponding to the spaced relation of the pair of spring contact arms 5G and 5s, 59.

In use and operation, the conductor or other operator of a train trom a given control point where the switch 6?) is located. throws the switch arm. 6:). the initial movement of which will engage the arm with the contact 67 which is preferably longer than the contact 62. This closes the circuit to the motor which has been previously rendered active by the reversing switch 71. As illustrated, the reversing switch is thrown to position to render the motor 2 active when the switch arm (33 engages the contact (37. The current will flow from the positive pole of the source of supply through the circuit wire 50, thence through the wire 53, pivot 51,, switch arm the contact 72 ot the reversing switcln the circuit wire 76, through the motor 24:, the circuit wire 77, the contacts 38 and 39. the contacts 37 and 3th the wires 81 and 80, the contact 73, switch arm 70, contact 69, circuit wire (38, contact 67 ot the controlling switch, the switch arm (35, pivot (it, and the return circuit wire 66, to the neg z ative pole of the source of supply. This initial movement of the switch permits the motor to move the tape or strip 12 in a direction trom the reel or drum it to the reel or drum 1% so that the bridge elements are disengaged from their bridging relation to the spring contact arms and 56. and 58 and 59. prior to the engagement of the switch arm (553 with the contact (52 ot the controlling switch. The motor will continue to operate until the next pair ot bridging elements 83 adiacent the following indicia 32 come into bridging relation with the spring contact arms 55 ant 56, and 58 and 59. ll hen said bridge elements come into contact with the spring contact arms. it obvious that the circuit to the electromagnct 41 will be completed, the current flowing from the positive pole ot the source ot supply 3 the wire 50 the wire the spring contact the bridge element the spring contact element 56. the circuit wire 57. the spring contact element 58, the bridge element 8 the spring contact element the circuit wire (it) leading to one pole of the electromagnct. 'trom the opposite pole ot the electromagnet through the circuit wire 61, the contact c2 01" the controll' 1g switch, the switch arm (if). the pivot point 6 thence through the retnrn wire 66 to the negative pole of the source of supply. Immediately upon completion of the circuit to the electromagnet -41 to energize the same, said magnet will attract the magnetically attractahle element 30 which will break the motor circuit to the motor 24 and cause the recess L0 to engage with the transverse head 33 to instantaneously stop the motor shaft 22, thereby stopping the tape to expose the indicia in registry with the window opening 11 of the cas ing 10. lVh-en the signs have been change-d. the operator throws the switch arm 65 ot' the controlling); switch out of contact with the contacts 62 and 67 so that the device is roadv tor the next operat on.

lVhen the car or train is making: a return trip, the arms 52 and of the reversing switch are swung from engagement with the contacts 72 and 73 into engagement with the contacts 74 and 75 so that'the motor 25 will be actuated when the controlling switch is thrown to move the tape or strip 12 in a reverse direction.

It is of course understood that immediately upon the throwing of the switch arm 65 of the controlling switch out of contact with the contact element 62, the electroiuagnet will he tie-energized and the spring 3:") will effect a reverse movement of the element 30 so that the contacts 36 and 38, and 37 and 39 will be re-energized and the recess 40 disengaged from its locking engagement with the transverse head 33 to dispose the cut-away portion 34 in alinement with the head 33, thereby allowing the same to freely turn upon the next operation of the motor. It will be further appreciated that the motors 2d and 25 being coupled to move in unison, will cause the motor when operating to turn the motor shaft 22 of the motor 24 when the latter is idle.

What is claimed is:

1. In a station indicator, a strip having longitudinally spaced indicia thereon representing the various stations of a given route, elements to which the opposite ends of the strip are secured and upon which the same are wound, a pair of motors having their shafts connected for rotation in unison and ope atively connected with said elements, said motors being selectively operable for driving said elements to move the strip in opposite directions, and means operable by the strip for automatically stopping the active motor and strip at predetermined points.

2. In a station indicator, a strip having longitudinally spaced indicia thereon representing the various stations of a given route, reels to which the opposite ends of the strip are secured and upon which the same are wound, a pair of motors having their shafts connected for rotation in unison and having operative connection with the reels, a circuit including said motors and a source of supply, means in said circuit for sol ctively closing the circuit to either motor for moving the strip in opposite directions, a housing through which said strip is movable, said housing having a window opening for singly dis ')laying the indicia therethrough, and means operable by the strip for rendering the motors inactive and stopping the strip to successively register the indicia with the window opening.

3. In a station indicator, a strip having longitudinally spaced indicia thereon representing the various stations of a given route, reels to which the opposite ends of the strip are secured and upon which the same are wound, a pair of motors having their shafts connected for rotation in unison and having operative connection with the reels, a circuit including said motors and a source oi supply, means in said circuit for selectively closing the circuit to either motor for moving the strip in opposite directions, a housing through which said strip is movable, said housing having a window opening for singly displaying the indicia therethrough and means ope able by the strip for rendering the motors inactive and stopping the strip to successively register the indicia with the window opening, said means including an independent circuit, an electromagnet in said circuit, an electromagnetically attractable element normally spaced from said electromagnet, a motor circuit-breaking means carried by said electromagnetically attractable element, and a motor stopping means carried by said element.

4. In a station indicator, a strip having longitudinally spaced indicia thereon representing the various stations of a given route, reels to which the opposite ends of the strip are secured and upon which the same are wound, a pair of motors having their shafts connected for rotation in unison and having operative connection with the reels, a circuit including said motors and a source of supply, means in said circuit for selectively closing the circuit to either motor for moving the strip in opposite directions, a housing through which said strip is movable, said housing having a window opening for singly displaying the indicia therethrough,

and means operable by the strip for render ing the motors inactive and stopping the strip to successively register the indicia with the window opening, said means including an independent circuit, an electromagnet in said circuit, an electromagnetically attractable element normally spaced from said electroi'nagnet, a motor circuit-breaking means carried by said electromagnetically attractable element, and a motor-stopping means carried by said element, said motorcircuit-breaking means and motor-stopping means being rendered active when the electromagnet is energized.

5. In a station indicator, a strip having longitudinally spaced indicia thereon arranged in proper order to represent the various stations of a given route, a casing having a window opening through which the strip is movable whereby sections of the strip are successively registered with the window opening to display the station indicating indicia therethrough, a pair of reels to which the strip is connected at its opposite ends for winding of the same from one reel to the other, an electric circuit including a pair of independent reel-driving motors having their shafts connected for rotation in unison, a source of power, a switch for selectively coupling the reel-driving motors in the circuit to move the strip in opposite directions, a second circuit including a source of supply, an electromagnet and a member attractable thereby when the magnet is energized, a motor circuit maker and breaker operable by said member, a motor brake operable by said member, the saidsecond circuit also including pairs of spaced spring contacts and bridge elements therefor carried by the strip adapted to close said second circuit when the indicia registers with the window opening in the casing, and a common control switch for said circuits including means operable by the switch to initially close the motor cir cuit for moving the strip a suflicient distance to break the second circuit prior to the subsequent closing oi the second circuit by the final closing of the control switch whereby said second. circuit is subsequently closed when the next adjacent station-indicating indicia alines with the window opening.

6. A stat-ion indicator, including a strip having spaced station-indicating indicia thereon, a casing through which the strip is movable, said casing having a window opening through which the station-indicating indicia is visible, electrically operable reversible mechanism for moving the strip through the casing, a circuit including said mechanism, a reversing switch in said circuit, a normally closed circuit breaker in said circuit, a normally inactive braking means for said strip-driving mechanism, an automatic electrically operable mechanism for stopping the strip as each successive sta tion indiciabearing portion of the strip registers with the window opening, said strip-stopping mechanism including an independent secondary circuit, an electromagnet in said secondary circuit, a member at tractable by said electromagnet when the same is energized, said member operatively connected with the circuit breaker to open the same and operatively connected with the braking means to apply the same when the electromagnet is energized and attracts said member, a normally open circuit-closing means in said secondary circuit, means carried by the strip for actuating said circuit-closing means when the station indiciabearing portion of the strip registers with the window opening.

7. A station indicator, including a strip having spaced station-indicating indicia thereon, a casing through which the strip is movable, said casing having a window opening through which the stationindicating indicia is visible, electrically operable reversible mechanism for moving the strip through the casing, mechanism, a reversing switch in said circuit, a normally closed circuit breaker in said circuit, a normally inactive braking means for said strip-driving mechanism, an automatic electrically operable mechanism for stopping the strip as each successive station indicia-bearing portion of the strip registers with the window opening, said strip-stopping mechanism including an independent secondary circuit, an electromagnet in said secondary circuit, a member it-tractable by said electromagnet when the same is energized, said member operatively connected with the circuit breaker to open the same and operatively connected with the braking means to apply the same when the clectromagnet is energized and attracts said member, a normally open circuit-closing means in said secondary circuit, means carried by the strip for actuating said circuitclosing means when the station indiciabearing portion or" the strip registers with the window opening, and a common manually operable control switch for both the said circuits, operable to close the first-mentioned circuit to initially move the strip for opening the strip controlled circuit-closing means prior to the closing of the secondary circuit by the common control switch.

EUGENE" ALESSIO.

a'circuit including said 

